The biggest challenge faced by healthcare service providers during emergencies is getting access to life-saving clinical guidance on the spot. Redundant clinical paperwork also makes it hard for nurses to provide first-person telehealth services to remote patients. But for technology-conscious practitioners, Google glass in healthcare is a game changer.
The tech that almost flopped on the mainstream consumer market due to privacy concerns has been transforming healthcare behind the scenes for years. Here is an in-depth guide highlighting the positive impact of using Google glass in medicine.
How Does Google Glass Work?
Google glass is a wearable electronic device that looks like traditional eyeglasses, only that it is Android-enabled with voice and motion control capabilities. The Google glass display creates an augmented reality experience by leveraging audio, visual, and location-centric inputs to give users access to relevant information. Users can also leverage the tool’s touchpad to issue commands.
The latest Google glass version features Glassware application virtualization tools that run on the Android operating system to deliver an app experience. The smart eyewear can connect to WiFi, Bluetooth-enabled devices, or even secondary cameras to enable the user to take clear videos or photographs.
Other features of Google glasses for healthcare include:
- Google maps support for location-centric clinical guidance
- Intelligent interactivity through motion detection
- Support for voice and video calls with heads-up display collaboration
- Synchronization capabilities with calendar records stored in other devices
- Multi-lingual support through real-time translation and display
X Ways to Use Google Glasses in the Medical Field
Wearable devices aren’t new in the medical industry. In fact, Deloitte estimates that nearly 440 million wearable devices will be shipped to users all over the globe by 2024. Among the wearable technologies that are likely to revolutionize the healthcare industry as it is today is Google glass. From providing convergence of user devices at the workplace to enabling hands-free service delivery and driving tech innovation, the benefits of Google glass for healthcare are endless.
But how exactly can you use Google glass wearable technology in the healthcare field? Here are some ways.
Offer Streamlined Telehealth Services to Acute Patients
Google glass in the medicine field can help improve healthcare provision to patients with post-acute and long-term care needs. Even with the decline of Covid-19 cases in most parts of the globe, 40% of consumers would prefer to continue with telehealth services. The wearable can integrate with a facility’s electronic health record system to help nurses relay patient information to remote emergency response (ER) teams quickly.
Swift access to health records can save lives in critical situations, such as cardiac arrests or strokes. For instance, it can help nurses and doctors make the right decision on real-time neurological assessment to enhance the therapeutic window for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) if an acute patient experiences a blood clot from a stroke.
Access Information Faster While You Focus on the Patient
Google glass technology in the medical field allows practitioners to offer hands-free health services. Healthcare professionals can access patient information from a heads-up display on Google glass, enabling them to serve patients without diverting their attention. This approach is faster when accessing vital information than loading EMR files on handheld devices like tablets or laptops.
Even better, Google glass vision brings EHR information to the doctor’s field of view immediately after initiating contact with patients. This way, patients get more valuable time to explain their symptoms while doctors listen keenly without losing a beat.
Need help with developing healthcare product?
Contact Langate todayStreamline Communication
Did you know that miscommunication accounts for 27% of medical errors? Doctor-patient communication is critical and responsible for favorable outcomes like enhancing overall health status and patient communication. On the other hand, skewed communication can result in unfavorable outcomes, such as dissatisfaction, resource mismanagement, or less-strict adherence to treatment regimens.
While medical courses focus more on inculcating technical proficiency instead of communication, Google glasses for doctors can help practitioners communicate effectively with their patients. Unlike traditional wireless communication devices, Google glass uninterrupted interaction between patients and clinicians. Moreover, nurses can easily follow up on patients remotely via a video conference instead of mandatory on-site visits.
Improve Hygiene During Medical Procedures
The Center for Diseases Control (CDC) notes that medical practitioners need to clean their hands up to 100 times during a 12-hour shift. This minimizes the chances of infecting patients with another disease. It also saves nurses from infecting themselves while they are providing medical services. Most importantly, optimal hygiene across the hospital prevents germs from spreading to other specialized facilities, such as home care or dialysis centers.
Unfortunately, medical workers often clean their hands fewer times than required. In such cases, the use of Google glass in healthcare minimizes germs from spreading through handheld devices like tablets, laptops, or computer accessories, such as a mouse. This device can keep your hands as clean as possible, given that it promotes hands-free service provision. For instance, you can browse through EMR files with a simple wave gesture in front of the mirror.
Offer Real-Time Medical Assistance in Emergencies
One of the uses for Google Glass in the healthcare industry with huge potential is ongoing care and the relay of information during emergencies like accidents. For instance, a curious user in the street might record an accident that just happened and upload the same on the internet. A local nurse who just got wind of the development can use their Google glass to research the incident, follow up and make bed capacity or surgical preparations while waiting for the victims. This is because the smart wearable is WiFi-enabled with Google search capabilities.
Moreover, nurses can call in on doctors to assist with a high level of expertise remotely. The nurse can live stream the patient’s condition or state as a senior physician guides them in conducting an in-depth medical assessment. Remember, this happens without taking the eyes off the patient.
Minimize Medical Errors During Surgery
Even with the growth of technology and the availability of next-gen medical equipment, patients are exposed to at least 4,000 surgical errors every year. For instance, a poor focus might lead to the doctor conducting surgery on an incorrect body part. Other factors that might contribute to medical errors during surgery in modern facilities include:
- Communication gap between the doctor and the patient
- Communication gap between the lead surgeon and other ancillary practitioners
- Other unforeseen human factors, such as the doctor’s attitude
Given that medical errors during surgery aren’t spontaneous, doctors can minimize them if they understand when and where the errors are likely to occur. Fortunately, using Google glass in medicine can help mitigate factors that contribute to these errors. The smart wearable minimizes distraction by availing all information on the surgeon’s field of view so that doctors don’t have to split their focus between patients and health monitors.
Google glass also has a voice activation feature, allowing the operating team to access pertinent information, such as image scans, in a matter of seconds. And when multiple surgeons are involved, a Google glass app can step in to save the day by alerting the team if any mistake is made.
Provide Medical Training and Educational Resources
Google glass and healthcare training go hand in hand, thanks to the tool’s intuitive interface that can be used to view live or simulated events. For this reason, the technology’s potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry is immense, especially when it comes to teaching and consultation. Senior specialized doctors can use the Glassware to mentor residents through intra-operative consultations.
The same approach can also be employed for remote medical training, where doctors live stream operations through the Glassware. As an Android-based device, Google glass is compatible with multiple video-streaming tools, such as Google HangOut. Live-streaming operations give medical trainees better insights into the challenges that they’ll experience when doing surgery later in their careers. However, it will help if you get a patient’s consent before live-streaming the procedure.
Google Glass Is For Patients Too
Google glass features and functions in healthcare aren’t limited to doctors and nurses only. In fact, many experts look at it as a complementary tool that can help patients recover quickly and manage underlying conditions effectively. The wearable’s Glassware functions like any other smartphone, with basic functions and additional apps. For instance, patients can get reminders to complete critical tasks, such as daily dosage, every time they look at their medicine. The notification display pops up in the patient’s field of view; they’ll hardly miss it.
At the same time, Google glass can help sync information with lifestyle apps so that they can have an easier time when out. For instance, the Glassware can scan barcodes at the grocery or convenience store to help patients plan their meals efficiently.
Google glass is also changing healthcare by making it worthwhile for disabled users. For instance, the smart wearable can tell a visually impaired patient whether they are holding a glass of water or a can of oral medication. Moreover, hands-free capabilities can help patients with cognitive or mortar challenges access healthcare services seamlessly.
Our Experience
Langate is an all-around service provider of the best-in-class software solutions in the healthcare industry. We have over two decades of experience building advanced medical solutions, which extends to developing Glass apps. Even better, our average engagement duration with clients is about 5 years, allowing your healthcare business to get the most out of Langate’s tech expertise.
Over the years, we have built healthcare solutions that seamlessly integrate with other wearable technologies, such as Google glass, for both web and mobile applications. For instance, we recently built a web-based platform and mobile app to facilitate seamless facial recognition via Android or iOS mobile devices.
The solution now enables our client to minimize subject duplications in clinical records for greater efficiency and management. Moreover, the client is also able to prevent protocol violations when accessing patient information, as well as save time and money for all the relevant stakeholders.
Our human resource capability is ready to help you tap into the use of Google glass in healthcare via intuitive app development. We won’t only deliver a solution that depicts quality and flawlessness, but we will also go above and beyond to meet or exceed your expectations.
Final Thoughts
This guide on the uses for Google glass in the healthcare industry paints a clear picture of how doctors, nurses, and patients can leverage technology to overcome unnecessary physical barriers. Although the tech is nascent in terms of next-gen capabilities, such as AI and ML integration, its potential in the industry is yet to be fully exploited. But all the same, it’s just a matter of time before all stakeholders know how to use Google glass in healthcare and improve service delivery. In the meantime, contact us today for free consultation and Google glass app development.
